Gaming system and method for providing awards

ABSTRACT

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines is provided. The gaming system includes a plurality of progressive awards arranged in a hierarchy. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event or qualifying condition, a bonus game is started. A player can win a next higher progressive award by accumulating award values. If the player&#39;s total award value is greater than or equal to a trigger value for a progressive award, the player wins the progressive award. Unless a termination condition occurs, the bonus game continues. The total award value is set to the progressive award value. Alternatively, the progressive award value is added to the player&#39;s total award value. The trigger value for a progressive award can be the startup value for that progressive award.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,703, filed on May 20,2015, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/557,878, filed on Nov. 8, 2006, theentire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base gamesare well known. Gaming machines generally require the player to place ormake a wager to activate the primary or base game. In many of thesegaming machines, the award is based on the player obtaining a winningsymbol or symbol combination and on the amount of the wager (e.g., thehigher the wager, the higher the award). Symbols or symbol combinationswhich are less likely to occur usually provide higher awards.

In such known gaming machines, the amount of the wager made on the basegame by the player may vary. For instance, the gaming machine may enablethe player to wager a minimum number of credits, such as one credit(e.g., one penny, nickel, dime, quarter or dollar) up to a maximumnumber of credits, such as five credits. This wager may be made by theplayer a single time or multiple times in a single play of the primarygame. For instance, a slot game may have one or more paylines and theslot game may enable the player to make a wager on each payline in asingle play of the primary game. Thus, it is known that a gamingmachine, such as a slot game, may enable players to make wagers ofsubstantially different amounts on each play of the primary or base gameranging, for example, from 1 credit up to 125 credits (e.g., 5 creditson each of 25 separate paylines). This is also true for other wageringgames, such as video draw poker, where players can wager one or morecredits on each hand and where multiple hands can be playedsimultaneously. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that differentplayers play at substantially different wagering amounts or levels andat substantially different rates of play.

Secondary or bonus games are also known in gaming machines. Thesecondary or bonus games usually provide an additional award to theplayer. Secondary or bonus games usually do not require an additionalwager by the player to be activated. Secondary or bonus games aregenerally activated or triggered upon an occurrence of a designatedtriggering symbol or triggering symbol combination in the primary orbase game. For instance, a bonus symbol occurring on the payline on thethird reel of a three reel slot machine may trigger the secondary bonusgame. Part of the enjoyment and excitement of playing certain gamingmachines is the occurrence or triggering of the secondary or bonus game(even before the player knows how much the bonus award will be). Inother words, obtaining a bonus event and a bonus award in the bonusevent is part of the enjoyment and excitement for players.

One such secondary or bonus game provides a player one or more free spinsequences. In these gaming devices, upon an occurrence of a triggeringevent in the primary game, the gaming device temporarily halts theprimary game play and enables a player to enter a free spin mode orsequence wherein one or more free spins are provided to the player. Theplayer plays the free spin mode or sequence, likely receives an awardduring one or more of the free spins and returns to the base game. Freespin mode or sequences that provide players with large awards or thepotential to win large awards are attractive to players.

Progressive awards associated with gaming machines are also known. Inone form, a progressive award is an award amount which includes aninitial amount funded by a casino and an additional amount fundedthrough a portion of each wager made on the progressive gaming machine.For example, 0.1% of each wager placed on the primary game of the gamingmachine associated with the progressive award may be allocated to theprogressive award or progressive award fund or pool. The progressiveaward grows in value as more players play the gaming machines and moreportions of these players' wagers are allocated to the progressiveaward. When a player obtains a winning symbol or symbol combinationassociated with the progressive award, the accumulated progressive awardis provided to the player. After the progressive award is provided tothe player, the amount of the next progressive award is reset to theinitial value and a portion of each subsequent wager on a gaming machineassociated with a progressive award is allocated to the next progressiveaward.

A progressive award may be associated with or otherwise dedicated to asingle or stand-alone gaming machine. Alternatively, a progressive awardmay be associated with or otherwise dedicated to multiple gamingmachines which each contribute a portion of wagers placed at such gamingmachine(s) to the progressive award. The multiple gaming machines may bein the same bank of gaming machines, in the same casino or gamingestablishment (usually through a local area network (“LAN”)) or in twoor more different casinos or gaming establishments (usually through awide area network (“WAN”)). Such progressive awards are played for byone or more gaming devices in the same gaming establishment sometimescalled local area progressives (“LAP”) and such progressive awardsplayed for by a plurality of gaming devices at a plurality of differentgaming establishments are sometimes called wide area progressives(“WAP”).

Moreover, a gaming machine or bank of gaming machines may besimultaneously associated with a plurality of progressive awards. Inthese multi-level progressive (“MLP”) configurations, a plurality ofprogressive awards are arranged in a hierarchy and can start atdifferent award or value levels, such as $10, $100, $1000 and $10,000.Each progressive award individually increments or increases untilprovided to a player. Upon a suitable triggering event at one or more ofthe gaming devices associated with the MLP, one or more of theprogressive awards which form the MLP are provided to one or more of theplayers at such gaming devices.

There is a continuing need to provide new and different gaming machinesand gaming systems as well as new and different ways to provide awardsto players including bonus awards.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein includes aplurality of progressive awards arranged in a hierarchy. Eachprogressive award has or is associated with a trigger value. During gameplay, a player accumulates award values, and if the player's total awardvalue is greater than or equal to the trigger value for one of theprogressive awards, in one embodiment, the gaming system provides theplayer that progressive award. The gaming system also provides theplayer an improved chance of winning higher progressive awards when alower progressive award is won. In one such embodiment, the improvedchance is provided by increasing the total award value based on thelower progressive award value that is won. For example, if the lowerprogressive award is won, the player's total award value is increased tothe lower progressive award value. As a result, the total award value iscloser to the trigger value for one or more of the higher progressiveawards than it would be if it were not increased based on the lowerprogressive award value. In one alternative embodiment, if the player'stotal award value is greater than or equal to the trigger value for alower progressive award value, that lower progressive award value is notprovided to the player if the player subsequently win a higherprogressive award value.

In one example, a first progressive award has a progressive award valueof $22 and a trigger value of $5, a second progressive award has aprogressive award value of $100 and a trigger value of $25, and a playerhas a total award value of $3. If the player accumulates at least $2more, the player wins the first progressive award. Additionally, theplayer's total award value is increased from $5 to $22. As a result, theplayer only needs to accumulate an additional $3 ($25−$22=$3) to win thesecond progressive award instead of an additional $20 ($25−$5=$20) towin the second progressive award. The player is more likely toaccumulate $3 than $20, so the player's odds of winning the secondprogressive are increased.

In one embodiment, the trigger value for one or more progressive awardsis the startup value for that progressive award. A startup value is thevalue to which a progressive award is initially set or reset upon beingwon. As described above or in any other suitable manner, the progressiveaward is increased based on a portion of one or more wagers until theprogressive award is provided to a player. If a progressive award isprovided to a player, the progressive award value is reset to thestartup value and is again increased by one or more wagers in subsequentgame play.

In one embodiment, the progressive awards are winnable in a bonus orsecondary game. At the start of the bonus game, the player's total awardvalue is set to an initial value, such as zero. Also, the player isprovided one or more spins or activations of one or more symbolgenerators, such as reels. The symbol generators each include or areotherwise associated with a plurality of symbols. One or more symbols orcombinations of symbols are associated with award values, bonus gameterminators, or progressive award wins. If a spin result includessymbols or combinations associated with award values, those award valuesare added to the player's total award value. In an example, a spinresult includes three cherry symbols on the same payline, a $1 symboland a $5 symbol among other symbols. If three cherry symbols on the samepayline is associated with an award value of $10, the $1 symbol isassociated with $1 and the $5 symbol is associated with $5, a total of$16 (i.e., $10+$1+$5) is added to the player's total award value. Itshould be appreciated that any suitable alternative methods may beemployed to track the player's total award value.

As described above, the gaming system determines whether the player'stotal award value is greater than or equal to one of the trigger valuesfor the progressive awards. In one embodiment, this determination ismade at designated intervals, such as after each generation of possibleaward values. It should be noted that, in one embodiment, thedetermination is only made with respect to trigger values associatedwith progressive awards that are not already won by the player duringthe current play of the bonus game.

In another example, a first progressive award is associated with atrigger value of $50 and a progressive award value of $250, a secondprogressive award is associated with a trigger value of $300, and aplayer has a total award value of $45. A spin results in $10 being addedto the player's total award value, increasing it to $55. The gamingsystem determines that the total award value ($55) is greater than thetrigger value ($50) of the first progressive award. As a result, theplayer wins the first progressive award and the total award value isincreased to $250. After the next spin, the gaming system will notdetermine whether the total award value is greater than the triggervalue ($50) of the first progressive award. Instead, the gaming systemwill determine whether the total award value is greater than or equal tothe trigger value ($300) of the second progressive award. As a result,the player's chance of winning the next progressive award is improvedbecause the total award value is advanced an additional $195 towards thetrigger value of the next progressive award; however, the player isprevented from repeatedly winning one progressive award during the sameplay of a bonus game. The progressive award or awards won by a playerare provided to the player before subsequent spins or, alternatively,upon termination of the bonus game.

In one embodiment, after each spin, the gaming system also determineswhether a terminating condition occurs. Terminating conditions include atop progressive award being won, no more spins or activations beingavailable, a terminator symbol or combination being generated, a lack ofone or more symbols or combinations being generated or any othersuitable condition. It should be understood that different embodimentscan have different terminating conditions. If a game terminatingcondition occurs, the bonus game ends. However, if a game terminatingcondition does not occur, the bonus game continues the player isprovided with another spin.

In one embodiment, a player is provided with an initial number ofremaining spins or activations. After each spin, the number of remainingspins is reduced by one. If the number of remaining spins is zero, thebonus or secondary game ends.

In one embodiment, in addition to a progressive award being winnable byaccumulating awards, the progressive award is winnable by generating asymbol combination associated with the progressive award. If theprogressive award is won in either way, the player's total award valueis increased to the progressive award value. In one example, acombination of three bell symbols on one payline is associated withwinning a progressive award with a progressive award value of $50.Before a spin, the total award value is $2.50. Three bell symbols on onepayline are generated in the spin. As a result, the player wins theprogressive award and the total award value is set to $50. As a resultof the increase in the total award value (i.e., $2.50 to $50), theplayer is significantly closer to having a total award value that meetsor exceeds the trigger value (e.g. $75) for a higher progressive award.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of setting the total award valueto a progressive award value that is won, the total award value isincreased by the progressive award value. In an example, $5 is thetrigger value associated with a progressive award with a progressiveaward value of $25. After a spin, the total award value is $5. As aresult, the total award value is increased by the progressive awardvalue and becomes $30 (i.e., $5+$25). Consequently, the player's chanceof winning the next progressive award is improved because the totalaward value is advanced an additional $25 towards the trigger value(e.g., $50) of the next progressive award. In other embodiments, thetotal award value is increased by another suitable amount, including butnot limited to: a predetermined amount which is not dependent on aprogressive award value, a randomly determined amount within a range ofamounts, a percentage of the difference between the total award valueand the next trigger value, a predetermined amount less than thedifference between the total award value and the next trigger value, apercentage or portion of the progressive award value won or a percentageor portion of the total award value.

In another embodiment, the player wins an initial progressive award atthe beginning of the bonus game. Further, the initial total award valuefor the bonus game is set to the initial progressive award value. In anexample, an initial progressive award value is $15.75. If a triggercondition occurs in the primary game, the bonus game is initiated, theplayer wins the initial progressive award, and the player's total awardvalue is set to $15.75.

In another alternative embodiment, a progressive award won by a playeris not necessarily provided to the player. The player risks an awardreducing condition being generated on one or more subsequent spins. Oneexample of an award reducing condition is a bankrupt symbol orcombination. If a bankrupt symbol is generated, the player loses anyprogressive awards earned during play of the bonus game. Another exampleof an award reducing condition is a negative award symbol orcombination. If a negative award symbol is generated, the player'swinnings or total award value is reduced by a reduction value associatedwith the negative award symbol.

In one embodiment, the player is offered the option of ending the bonusgame before activating a next spin to prevent losing some or all of theplayer's accumulated winnings. For example, after winning a progressiveaward, the player may decide to end the game and receive the awardinstead of risking a bankrupt symbol being generated on the next spin.In another embodiment, the player loses any progressive award won duringthe bonus game if the player wins a progressive award, decides tocontinue playing for the next progressive award and fails to reach thenext trigger value.

In another embodiment, the player can win additional spins oranti-terminators during play of the bonus game. For example, thegeneration of a free spin symbol in a spin of the bonus game increasesthe number of remaining spins by one or more. Similarly, if a playerwins an anti-terminator and a terminator symbol is generated on asubsequent spin, the anti-terminator counters the effects of theterminator symbol, enabling the game to continue. In another embodiment,a number of remaining spins is not maintained and the player is providedadditional spins or activations until a game terminating conditionoccurs.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of the progressive awards beingprovided to the player, the total award value is provided to the playerat the end of the bonus game. In an example, during a bonus game, aplayer won a progressive award with a progressive award value of$10,000. On subsequent spins, the player's total award value increasedby $35 to a total of $1035 before the bonus game ended due to thegeneration of a terminator symbol. However, the next trigger value is$15,000. As a result, $1035 is provided to the player. In anotherembodiment, the higher of the progressive award and the total awardvalue is provided to the player. In other embodiments, other suitableamounts are provided to the player.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, a player is only provided one ofthe progressive awards won (or qualified for) during the game. Forexample, a player enters the bonus game because a symbol combinationassociated with winning a second progressive award occurs during play ofthe primary game. During the bonus game, the player accumulatessufficient awards to also win a third progressive award. At the end ofthe bonus game, from the awards won by the player (i.e., the secondprogressive award and the third progressive award), the one with thehigher value is provided to the player and reset to its startup value.The other won progressive awards are not provided to the player andcontinue to increase in value without being reset.

In one embodiment, at least one progressive award is associated with amaximum value. For example, the maximum value can be the startup valueof the next progressive award in the hierarchy. Once the progressiveaward value is incremented to the maximum value, additional values whichwould otherwise increment the progressive award value are allocated fordifferent uses. For example, the additional values are stored for lateruse to fund the startup value of this or another progressive award.

Alternatively, the additional values or a portion of the additionalvalues fund a one-time increase in the startup value for someprogressive award. As a result, the progressive award is reset to ahigher value than the regular startup value. For example, before amaxed-out progressive award is won, $15 is accumulated from additionalvalues that could not be added to the maxed-out progressive award.Instead of the progressive award being reset to its regular startupvalue of $10, it is reset to $15. In another embodiment, the additionalvalues are added to the progressive value of the next non-maxed-outprogressive award in the hierarchy.

In an alternative embodiment, the trigger value necessary to win aprogressive award is dependent upon the total award value at some pointin the bonus game. As a result, after winning a progressive award, aplayer is still required to accumulate a minimum additional amount ofawards to win the next progressive award. For example, the trigger valuefor a second progressive award is $25 more than the total award valuewhen the first progressive award is won. In this example, the firstprogressive award value is $15, and the trigger value for the firstprogressive award is $10. If the player wins the first progressive awardby having a total award value of $10.75 and the total award valuebecomes $25.75 ($10.75+$15), the player must reach at least a totalaward value of $50.75 to win the second progressive award. It should benoted that the trigger amount can be dependent in any suitable mannerupon the total award value at some point in the bonus game, includingbut not limited to: being a fixed amount higher, being a fixedpercentage higher or being a randomly generated amount (or percentage)within a range of amounts higher.

In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards arepartially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player may make(and which may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one embodiment, oneor more of the progressive awards are funded with only side-bets orside-wagers placed. In another embodiment, one or more of theprogressive awards are funded based on player's wagers as describedabove as well as any side-bets or side-wagers placed.

In one embodiment, total award values persist for use in a later playedgame. In one embodiment, a persistent total award value is associatedwith an individual player. As a result, the player is able to accumulateawards values in a bonus game, save the total award value, stop playingfor a period of time, return to playing and not lose the total awardvalue the player previously won. Alternatively, the persistent totalaward values are associated with a gaming device. As a result, if afirst player accumulates a total award value in a bonus game on a gamingdevice and then stops playing, the total award value is stored by or inassociation with that gaming device. The next player to play the bonusgame on the gaming device plays using the total award value previouslyaccumulated by the first player.

In another alternative embodiment, a progressive award is won based on atotal award value only when a total award value is exactly equal to atrigger value associated with the progressive award. A player isprovided with the opportunity to accumulate award values or othersuitable progress indicators to produce a total award value as describedabove or in any other suitable manner. If the total award value is equalto the trigger value associated with one of the progressive awards inthe hierarchy, the player wins that progressive award.

Additional features and advantages are described in, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a front-side perspective view of one embodiment of the gamingdevice disclosed herein.

FIG. 1B is a front-side perspective view of another embodiment of thegaming device disclosed herein.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration ofone embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein.

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of gamingterminals in communication with a central controller.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a display at the start of a bonus game of oneembodiment.

FIG. 3B is a front view of a display showing the result of a first spinof a bonus game of one embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a front view of a display showing the result of a second spinof a bonus game of one embodiment in which a progressive award is won.

FIG. 3D is a front view of a display showing the result a third spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which a terminator symbol isgenerated.

FIG. 3E is a front view of a display at the start of a bonus game of oneembodiment in which an initial value for the total award value is aprogressive award value.

FIG. 3F is a front view of a display showing the result a third spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which a free spin symbol is generated.

FIG. 3G is a front view of a display showing the result a second spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which the progressive award value isadded to the total award value.

FIG. 3H is a front view of a display showing the result a second spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which the player is provided with anopportunity to end the game by pressing a cash out button.

FIG. 3I is a front view of a display showing the result a third spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which the player is not provided aprogressive award won on a previous spin.

FIG. 3J is a front view of a display showing the result a third spin ofa bonus game of one embodiment in which the total award value isprovided to the player

FIG. 3K is a front view of a display showing the result of a first spinof a bonus game of one embodiment in which the second progressive awardvalue is increased and the third progressive award value is reset.

FIG. 3L is a front view of a display at the start of a bonus game of oneembodiment in which a trigger value of a progressive award isindependent of the start value of the progressive award.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of operating a gaming devicein which progressive awards are provided to a player when a total awardvalue in a bonus game is greater than or equal to a startup value forthe progressive award and in which the total award value is set to theprogressive award when the progressive award is won in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of operating a gaming devicein which a total award value is provided to a player at the end of abonus game and in which a total award value is incremented by aprogressive award value when the total award value is greater than orequal to a startup value for the progressive award in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of operating a gaming devicein which progressive awards are provided to a player when a total awardvalue in a bonus game is equal to a startup value for the progressiveaward and in which the total award value is set to the progressive awardwhen the progressive award is won in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of operating a gaming devicein which progressive awards are provided to a player when a total awardvalue in a bonus game is equal to a startup value for the progressiveaward and in which the total award value is only incremented in responseto award values generated in a spin in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be implemented in various configurations forgaming machines or gaming devices, including but not limited to: (1) adedicated gaming machine or gaming device, wherein the computerizedinstructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the gamingmachine or gaming device) are provided with the gaming machine or gamingdevice prior to delivery to a gaming establishment; and (2) a changeablegaming machine or gaming device, where the computerized instructions forcontrolling any games (which are provided by the gaming machine orgaming device) are downloadable to the gaming machine or gaming devicethrough a data network when the gaming machine or gaming device is in agaming establishment. In one embodiment, the computerized instructionsfor controlling any games are executed by a central server, centralcontroller or remote host. In such a “thin client” embodiment, thecentral server remotely controls any games (or other suitableinterfaces) and the gaming device is utilized to display such games (orsuitable interfaces) and receive one or more inputs or commands from aplayer. In another embodiment, the computerized instructions forcontrolling any games are communicated from the central server, centralcontroller or remote host to a gaming device local processor and memorydevices. In such a “thick client” embodiment, the gaming device localprocessor executes the communicated computerized instructions to controlany games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.

In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system may bethin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in the gamingsystem may be thick client gaming devices. In another embodiment,certain functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thin clientenvironment and certain other functions of the gaming device areimplemented in a thick client environment. In one such embodiment,computerized instructions for controlling any primary games arecommunicated from the central server to the gaming device in a thickclient configuration and computerized instructions for controlling anysecondary games or bonus functions are executed by a central server in athin client configuration.

Referring now to the drawings, two example alternative embodiments ofthe gaming device of the disclosed herein are illustrated in FIGS. 1Aand 1B as gaming device 10 a and gaming device 10 b, respectively.Gaming device 10 a and/or gaming device 10 b are generally referred toherein as gaming device 10.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 hasa support structure, housing or cabinet which provides support for aplurality of displays, inputs, controls and other features of aconventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player canoperate it while standing or sitting. The gaming device may bepositioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-styletable-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably whilesitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, the gaming device may have varying cabinet and displayconfigurations.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming devicepreferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a microprocessor,a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or oneor more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processoris in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment,the processor and the memory device reside within the cabinet of thegaming device. The memory device stores program code and instructions,executable by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memorydevice also stores other data such as image data, event data, playerinput data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data orinformation and applicable game rules that relate to the play of thegaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes randomaccess memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other forms ascommonly understood in the gaming industry. In one embodiment, thememory device includes read only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, thememory device includes flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, opticaland/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with the gamingdevice disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating datadescribed above can be stored in a detachable or removable memorydevice, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CDROM, DVD or USB memory device. In other embodiments, part or all of theprogram code and/or operating data described above can be downloaded tothe memory device through a suitable network.

In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a removablememory device in a desktop computer, a laptop personal computer, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), portable computing device, or othercomputerized platform to implement the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed herein isoperable over a wireless network, such as part of a wireless gamingsystem. In this embodiment, the gaming machine may be a hand helddevice, a mobile device or any other suitable wireless device thatenables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of differentlocations. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gamingmachine as disclosed herein may be a device that has obtained approvalfrom a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not obtainedapproval from a regulatory gaming commission. It should be appreciatedthat the processor and memory device may be collectively referred toherein as a “computer” or “controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming devicerandomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. In one such embodiment, this random determination isprovided through utilization of a random number generator (RNG), such asa true random number generator, a pseudo random number generator orother suitable randomization process. In one embodiment, each award orother game outcome is associated with a probability and the gamingdevice generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to theplayer based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, sincethe gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or moreprobability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming devicewill ever provide the player with any specific award or other gameoutcome.

In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gamingdevice employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or othergame outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcomeis provided to the player, the gaming device flags or removes theprovided award or other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool.Once flagged or removed from the set or pool, the specific providedaward or other game outcome from that specific pool cannot be providedto the player again. This type of gaming device provides players withall of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course ofthe play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.

In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player initiating gameplay at the gaming device, the gaming device enrolls in a bingo game. Inthis embodiment, a bingo server calls the bingo balls that result in aspecific bingo game outcome. The resultant game outcome is communicatedto the individual gaming device to be provided to a player. In oneembodiment, this bingo outcome is displayed to the player as a bingogame and/or in any form in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includesone or more display devices controlled by the processor. The displaydevices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of thegaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a centraldisplay device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device mayalso display any suitable secondary game associated with the primarygame as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game.The alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device maydisplay the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or notassociated with the primary game and/or information relating to theprimary or secondary game. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in oneembodiment, the gaming device includes a credit display 20 whichdisplays a player's number of credits, cash, account balance or theequivalent. In one embodiment, gaming device includes a bet display 22which displays a player's amount wagered.

In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobiledisplay device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of atleast a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remotefrom the gaming device.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, atelevision display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) adisplay based on light emitting diodes (LED), a display based on aplurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based onpolymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality ofsurface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including aprojected and/or reflected image or any other suitable electronic deviceor display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detailbelow, the display device includes a touch-screen with an associatedtouch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable sizeand configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongatedrectangle.

The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display atleast one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition ofthe movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels andwheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,places, things and faces of cards, and the like.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayedon or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, thedisplay device may include any electromechanical device, such as one ormore mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels ordice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or othersuitable images, symbols or indicia.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device includesat least one payment acceptor 24 in communication with the processor. Asseen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the payment acceptor may include a coin slot 26and a payment, note or bill acceptor 28, where the player inserts money,coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot or papermoney, a ticket or voucher into the payment, note or bill acceptor. Inother embodiments, devices such as readers or validators for creditcards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In oneembodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a cardreader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identification cardis a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip codedwith a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) andother relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may carry aportable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identificationtag or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player'sidentification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevantinformation to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may betransferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When aplayer funds the gaming device, the processor determines the amount offunds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit orother suitable display as described above.

As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming deviceincludes at least one and preferably a plurality of input devices 30 incommunication with the processor. The input devices can include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is received by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriatefunding of the gaming device, the input device is a game activationdevice, such as a pull arm 32 or a play button 34 which is used by theplayer to start any primary game or sequence of events in the gamingdevice. The play button can be any suitable play activator such as a betone button, a max bet button or a repeat the bet button. In oneembodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the gameplay automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging oneof the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates gameplay.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one input device is abet one button 36. The player places a bet by pushing the bet onebutton. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time theplayer pushes the bet one button. When the player pushes the bet onebutton, the number of credits shown in the credit display preferablydecreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet displaypreferably increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device isa bet max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximumwager permitted for a game of the gaming device.

In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The playermay push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment orother suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remainingcredits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the playerreceives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In oneembodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive otherpayout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by acashier (or other suitable redemption system) or funding to the player'selectronically recordable identification card.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 2A, one inputdevice is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44,or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for playerinteraction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and thetouch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A playercan make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touchingthe touch-screen at the appropriate places. One such input device is atouch-screen button panel. It should be appreciated that the utilizationof touch-screens is widespread in the gaming industry.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication portsfor enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals,such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays,an SCSI port or a key pad.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes asound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 whichfunction in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the soundgenerating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofspeakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software forgenerating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/orsecondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as anattract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display asequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potentialplayers to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for orto provide any appropriate information.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as acamera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled bythe processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of aplayer actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area ofthe gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured toselectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may beconfigured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or othersuitable format. The display devices may be configured to display theimage acquired by the camera as well as display the visiblemanifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion.For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and theprocessor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondarygame as a game image, symbol or indicia.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or basegame. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of thefeatures of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or basegame may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, cascading orfalling symbol game, number game or other game of chance susceptible torepresentation in an electronic or electromechanical form, which in oneembodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at thetime of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primarywagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, videokeno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may beimplemented.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base or primarygame may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52. The paylines maybe horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combinationthereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one andpreferably a plurality of reels 54, such as three to five reels 54, ineither electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, anelectromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent,rotatable reels which may be combined and operably coupled with anelectronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if thereels 54 are in video form, one or more of the display devices, asdescribed above, display the plurality of simulated video reels 54. Eachreel 54 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits,numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to atheme associated with the gaming device. In this embodiment, the gamingdevice awards prizes after the reels of the primary game stop spinningif specified types and/or configurations of indicia or symbols occur onan active payline or otherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on therequisite number of adjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter payarrangement.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any outcome toprovide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated on any wageredupon paylines as described above, the gaming device determines anyoutcome to provide to the player based on the number of associatedsymbols which are generated in active symbol positions on the requisitenumber of adjacent reels (i.e., not on paylines passing through anydisplayed winning symbol combinations). In this embodiment, if a winningsymbol combination is generated on the reels, the gaming device providesthe player one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is generatedon the reels, the gaming device will provide a single award to theplayer for that winning symbol combination (i.e., not based on paylinesthat would have passed through that winning symbol combination). Itshould be appreciated that because a gaming device with wagering on waysto win provides the player one award for a single occurrence of awinning symbol combination and a gaming device with paylines may providethe player more than one award for the same occurrence of a singlewinning symbol combination (i.e., if a plurality of paylines each passthrough the same winning symbol combination), it is possible to providea player at a ways to win gaming device more ways to win for anequivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot gaming device withpaylines.

In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is determined bymultiplying the number of symbols generated in active symbol positionson a first reel by the number of symbols generated in active symbolpositions on a second reel by the number of symbols generated in activesymbol positions on a third reel and so on for each reel of the gamingdevice with at least one symbol generated in an active symbol position.For example, a three reel gaming device with three symbols generated inactive symbol positions on each reel includes 27 ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel). A four reel gaming device with three symbols generated inactive symbol positions on each reel includes 81 ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel×3 symbols on the fourth reel). A five reel gaming device withthree symbols generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes243 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on thesecond reel×3 symbols on the third reel×3 symbols on the fourth reel×3symbols on the fifth reel). It should be appreciated that modifying thenumber of generated symbols by either modifying the number of reels ormodifying the number of symbols generated in active symbol positions byone or more of the reels, modifies the number of ways to win.

In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to wager onand thus activate symbol positions. In one such embodiment, the symbolpositions are on the reels. In this embodiment, if based on the player'swager, a reel is activated, then each of the symbol positions of thatreel will be activated and each of the active symbol positions will bepart of one or more of the ways to win. In one embodiment, if based onthe player's wager, a reel is not activated, then a designated number ofdefault symbol positions, such as a single symbol position of the middlerow of the reel, will be activated and the default symbol position(s)will be part of one or more of the ways to win. This type of gamingmachine enables a player to wager on one, more or each of the reels andthe processor of the gaming device uses the number of wagered on reelsto determine the active symbol positions and the number of possible waysto win. In alternative embodiments, (1) no symbols are displayed asgenerated at any of the inactive symbol positions, or (2) any symbolsgenerated at any inactive symbol positions may be displayed to theplayer but suitably shaded or otherwise designated as inactive.

In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more reels, aplayer's wager of one credit may activate each of the three symbolpositions on a first reel, wherein one default symbol position isactivated on each of the remaining four reels. In this example, asdescribed above, the gaming device provides the player three ways to win(i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel×1 symbol on the second reel×1 symbolon the third reel×1 symbol on the fourth reel×1 symbol on the fifthreel). In another example, a player's wager of nine credits may activateeach of the three symbol positions on a first reel, each of the threesymbol positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol positionson a third reel wherein one default symbol position is activated on eachof the remaining two reels. In this example, as described above, thegaming device provides the player twenty-seven ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel×1 symbol on the fourth reel×1 symbol on the fifth reel).

In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to the playerbased on the generated symbols, the gaming device individuallydetermines if a symbol generated in an active symbol position on a firstreel forms part of a winning symbol combination with or is otherwisesuitably related to a symbol generated in an active symbol position on asecond reel. In this embodiment, the gaming device classifies each pairof symbols which form part of a winning symbol combination (i.e., eachpair of related symbols) as a string of related symbols. For example, ifactive symbol positions include a first cherry symbol generated in thetop row of a first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in thebottom row of a second reel, the gaming device classifies the two cherrysymbols as a string of related symbols because the two cherry symbolsform part of a winning symbol combination.

After determining if any strings of related symbols are formed betweenthe symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the second reel, thegaming device determines if any of the symbols from the next adjacentreel should be added to any of the formed strings of related symbols. Inthis embodiment, for a first of the classified strings of relatedsymbols, the gaming device determines if any of the symbols generated bythe next adjacent reel form part of a winning symbol combination or areotherwise related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols.If the gaming device determines that a symbol generated on the nextadjacent reel is related to the symbols of the first string of relatedsymbols, that symbol is subsequently added to the first string ofrelated symbols. For example, if the first string of related symbols isthe string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol isgenerated in the middle row of the third reel, the gaming device addsthe related cherry symbol generated on the third reel to the previouslyclassified string of cherry symbols.

On the other hand, if the gaming device determines that no symbolsgenerated on the next adjacent reel are related to the symbols of thefirst string of related symbols, the gaming device marks or flags suchstring of related symbols as complete. For example, if the first stringof related symbols is the string of related cherry symbols and none ofthe symbols of the third reel are related to the cherry symbols of thepreviously classified string of cherry symbols, the gaming device marksor flags the string of cherry symbols as complete.

After either adding a related symbol to the first string of relatedsymbols or marking the first string of related symbols as complete, thegaming device proceeds as described above for each of the remainingclassified strings of related symbols which were previously classifiedor formed from related symbols on the first and second reels.

After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related symbols, thegaming device determines, for each remaining pending or incompletestring of related symbols, if any of the symbols from the next adjacentreel, if any, should be added to any of the previously classifiedstrings of related symbols. This process continues until either eachstring of related symbols is complete or there are no more adjacentreels of symbols to analyze. In this embodiment, where there are no moreadjacent reels of symbols to analyze, the gaming device marks each ofthe remaining pending strings of related symbols as complete.

When each of the strings of related symbols is marked complete, thegaming device compares each of the strings of related symbols to anappropriate paytable and provides the player any award associated witheach of the completed strings of symbols. It should be appreciated thatthe player is provided one award, if any, for each string of relatedsymbols generated in active symbol positions (i.e., as opposed to beingbased on how many paylines that would have passed through each of thestrings of related symbols in active symbol positions).

In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game whereinthe gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game ofvideo draw poker and initially deals five cards all face up from avirtual deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in atraditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, may alsoinclude that the cards are randomly selected from a predetermined numberof cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards tohold via one or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttonsor via the touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and theunwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and the gamingmachine deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in thedeck. This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device comparesthe final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventionalpoker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The gaming deviceprovides the player with an award based on a winning hand and thecredits the player wagered.

In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-handversion of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming device deals theplayer at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cardsare the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associatedwith its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in aprimary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in theother hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from eachhand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealtinto that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealtindependently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand willusually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determined handby hand and awards are provided to the player.

In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein thegaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers onat least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the playerselects at least one or a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbersvia an input device such as the touch screen. The gaming device thendisplays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of matches, ifany, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawnnumbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of matches,if any, based on the amount of determined matches.

In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other awards in abase or primary game, the gaming device may also give players theopportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus orsecondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player toobtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any,obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondarygame produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than thebase or primary game because it provides a greater expectation ofwinning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with moreattractive or unusual features than the base or primary game. In oneembodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitablegame, either similar to or completely different from the base or primarygame.

In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be aselected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of oneor more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as thenumber seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in theprimary slot game embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In otherembodiments, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be byexceeding a certain amount of game play (such as number of games, numberof credits, amount of time), or reaching a specified number of pointsearned during game play.

In another embodiment, the gaming device processor 12 or central server56 randomly provides the player one or more plays of one or moresecondary games. In one such embodiment, the gaming device does notprovide any apparent reasons to the player for qualifying to play asecondary or bonus game. In this embodiment, qualifying for a bonus gameis not triggered by an event in or based specifically on any of theplays of any primary game. That is, the gaming device may simply qualifya player to play a secondary game without any explanation oralternatively with simple explanations. In another embodiment, thegaming device (or central server) qualifies a player for a secondarygame at least partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggeredevent, such as at least partially based on the play of a primary game.

In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which willautomatically begin a bonus round after the player has achieved atriggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. Inanother embodiment, after a player has qualified for a bonus game, theplayer may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation throughcontinued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonusqualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, agiven number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulatedin a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence ofmultiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result inan arithmetic or exponential increase in the number of bonus wageringcredits awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra bonuswagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.

In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game needbe employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonusgame, rather they must win or earn entry through play of the primarygame thus, encouraging play of the primary game. In another embodiment,qualification of the bonus or secondary game is accomplished through asimple “buy in” by the player, for example, if the player has beenunsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities. Inanother embodiment, the player must make a separate side-wager on thebonus game or wager a designated amount in the primary game to qualifyfor the secondary game. In this embodiment, the secondary gametriggering event must occur and the side-wager (or designated primarygame wager amount) must have been placed to trigger the secondary game.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of the gamingdevices 10 are in communication with each other and/or at least onecentral server, central controller or remote host 56 through a datanetwork or remote communication link 58. In this embodiment, the centralserver, central controller or remote host is any suitable server orcomputing device which includes at least one processor and at least onememory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the centralserver is a progressive controller or a processor of one of the gamingdevices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor ofeach gaming device is designed to transmit and receive events, messages,commands or any other suitable data or signal between the individualgaming device and the central server. The gaming device processor isoperable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands inconjunction with the operation of the gaming device. Moreover, theprocessor of the central server is designed to transmit and receiveevents, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal betweenthe central server and each of the individual gaming devices. Thecentral server processor is operable to execute such communicatedevents, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of thecentral server. It should be appreciated that one, more or each of thefunctions of the central controller as disclosed herein may be performedby one or more gaming device processors. It should be furtherappreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one or moregaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed by thecentral controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determinedby a central server or controller and provided to the player at thegaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gamingdevices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upona player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, theinitiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to thecentral server or controller.

In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both theprimary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In thisembodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing andutilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memorydevice of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintainsone or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes.In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcomefrom a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controllerflags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set orpool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server uponanother wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary gameoutcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes,or a series of game outcomes such as free games.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selectedgame outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receivesthe generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome tothe player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selectedgame outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as areel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in acard game, is also determined by the central server or controller andcommunicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayedto the player. Central production or control can assist a gamingestablishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic orother errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.

In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is determinedfor each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming devices based onthe results of a bingo or keno game. In this embodiment, each individualgaming device utilizes one or more bingo or keno games to determine thepredetermined game outcome value provided to the player for theinteractive game played at that gaming device. In one embodiment, thebingo or keno game is displayed to the player. In another embodiment,the bingo or keno game is not displayed to the player, but the resultsof the bingo or keno game determine the predetermined game outcome valuefor the primary or secondary game.

In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is enrolled inthe bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an inputdevice, the enrolled gaming device is provided or associated with adifferent bingo card. Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array ofelements, wherein each element is designated with a separate indicia,such as a number. It should be appreciated that each different bingocard includes a different combination of elements. For example, if fourbingo cards are provided to four enrolled gaming devices, the sameelement may be present on all four of the bingo cards while anotherelement may solely be present on one of the bingo cards.

In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or associating adifferent bingo card to each of a plurality of enrolled gaming devices,the central controller randomly selects or draws, one at a time, aplurality of the elements. As each element is selected, a determinationis made for each gaming device as to whether the selected element ispresent on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device. Thisdetermination can be made by the central controller, the gaming device,a combination of the two, or in any other suitable manner. If theselected element is present on the bingo card provided to that enrolledgaming device, that selected element on the provided bingo card ismarked or flagged. This process of selecting elements and marking anyselected elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one ormore predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the providedbingo cards. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the gamingdevice requires the player to engage a daub button (not shown) toinitiate the process of the gaming device marking or flagging anyselected elements.

After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more ofthe provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined for each of theenrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on the selectedelements on the provided bingo cards. As described above, the gameoutcome determined for each gaming device enrolled in the bingo game isutilized by that gaming device to determine the predetermined gameoutcome provided to the player. For example, a first gaming device tohave selected elements marked in a predetermined pattern is provided afirst outcome of win $10 which will be provided to a first playerregardless of how the first player plays in a first game and a secondgaming device to have selected elements marked in a differentpredetermined pattern is provided a second outcome of win $2 which willbe provided to a second player regardless of how the second player playsa second game. It should be appreciated that as the process of markingselected elements continues until one or more predetermined patterns aremarked, this embodiment insures that at least one bingo card will winthe bingo game and thus at least one enrolled gaming device will providea predetermined winning game outcome to a player. It should beappreciated that other suitable methods for selecting or determining oneor more predetermined game outcomes may be employed.

In one example of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined gameoutcome may be based on a supplemental award in addition to any awardprovided for winning the bingo game as described above. In thisembodiment, if one or more elements are marked in supplemental patternswithin a designated number of drawn elements, a supplemental orintermittent award or value associated with the marked supplementalpattern is provided to the player as part of the predetermined gameoutcome. For example, if the four corners of a bingo card are markedwithin the first twenty selected elements, a supplemental award of $10is provided to the player as part of the predetermined game outcome. Itshould be appreciated that in this embodiment, the player of a gamingdevice may be provided a supplemental or intermittent award regardlessof if the enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or does notwin the bingo game as described above.

In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are incommunication with a central server or controller for monitoringpurposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generatesthe game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server orcontroller monitors the activities and events occurring on the pluralityof gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes areal-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operablycoupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaminginformation system of this embodiment includes a player database forstoring player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking playersand a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.

In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is associated withor otherwise integrated with one or more player tracking systems. Inthis embodiment, the gaming device and/or player tracking system tracksany players gaming activity at the gaming device. In one suchembodiment, the gaming device and/or associated player tracking systemtimely tracks when a player inserts their playing tracking card to begina gaming session and also timely tracks when a player removes theirplayer tracking card when concluding play for that gaming session. Inanother embodiment, rather than requiring a player to insert a playertracking card, the gaming device utilizes one or more portable devicescarried by a player, such as a cell phone, a radio frequencyidentification tag or any other suitable wireless device to track when aplayer begins and ends a gaming session. In another embodiment, thegaming device utilizes any suitable biometric technology or tickettechnology to track when a player begins and ends a gaming session.

During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or playertracking system tracks any suitable information, such as any amountswagered, average wager amounts and/or the time these wagers are placed.In different embodiments, for one or more players, the player trackingsystem includes the player's account number, the player's card number,the player's first name, the player's surname, the player's preferredname, the player's player tracking ranking, any promotion statusassociated with the player's player tracking card, the player's address,the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, the player's recentgaming sessions, or any other suitable data.

In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are capable ofbeing connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, thedata network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of thegaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-sitecentral server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishmentor a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the datanetwork is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gamingdevices are in communication with at least one off-site central serveror controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices maybe located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within adifferent gaming establishment than the off-site central server orcontroller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server orcontroller and an off-site gaming device located within gamingestablishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. TheWAN gaming system may be substantially identical to the LAN gamingsystem described above, although the number of gaming devices in eachsystem may vary relative to each other.

In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. Inthis embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at thegaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment,operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may beaccomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller(the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or otherdata transmission line, digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In thisembodiment, players may access an internet game page from any locationwhere an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitatoris available. The expansion in the number of computers and number andspeed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunitiesfor players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. Itshould be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wirelesscommunications may render such technology suitable for some or allcommunications, particularly if such communications are encrypted.Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing thesophistication and response of the display and interaction with theplayer.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the present disclosure may beemployed in a server based gaming system. In one such embodiment, asdescribed above, one or more gaming devices are in communication with acentral server or controller. The central server or controller may beany suitable server or computing device which includes at least oneprocessor and a memory or storage device. In alternative embodiments,the central server is a progressive controller or another gaming machinein the gaming system. In one embodiment, the memory device of thecentral server stores different game programs and instructions,executable by a gaming device processor, to control the gaming device.Each executable game program represents a different game or type of gamewhich may be played on one or more of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem. Such different games may include the same or substantially thesame game play with different pay tables. In different embodiments, theexecutable game program is for a primary game, a secondary game or both.In another embodiment, the game program may be executable as a secondarygame to be played simultaneous with the play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.

In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one or moredisplay devices and/or one or more input devices for interaction with aplayer. A local processor, such as the above-described gaming deviceprocessor or a processor of a local server, is operable with the displaydevice(s) and/or the input device(s) of one or more of the gamingdevices.

In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one ormore of the stored game programs to at least one local processor. Indifferent embodiments, the stored game programs are communicated ordelivered by embedding the communicated game program in a device or acomponent (e.g., a microchip to be inserted in a gaming device), writingthe game program on a disc or other media, downloading or streaming thegame program over a dedicated data network, internet or a telephoneline. After the stored game programs are communicated from the centralserver, the local processor executes the communicated program tofacilitate play of the communicated program by a player through thedisplay device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the localprocessor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming device.

In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linkedgaming devices in a gaming system participate in a group gamingenvironment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices work in conjunction with one another, such asplaying together as a team or group, to win one or more awards. In onesuch embodiment, any award won by the group is shared, either equally orbased on any suitable criteria, amongst the different players of thegroup. In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices compete against one another for one or moreawards. In one such embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices participate in a gaming tournament for one or moreawards. In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices play for one or more awards wherein an outcomegenerated by one gaming device affects the outcomes generated by one ormore linked gaming devices.

Progressive Awards

In one embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or more gamingsites are networked to the central server in a progressiveconfiguration, wherein a portion of each wager placed is allocated toone or more progressive awards. In one embodiment, the progressiveawards are associated with the system gaming machines which eachcontribute portions of the progressive awards. In one such embodiment,different progressive awards are associated with different numbers ofgaming devices. For example, a progressive award valued at $10,000 maybe associated with ten gaming devices while another progressive awardvalued at $500,000 may be associated with one-hundred gaming devices. Inone embodiment, the multiple gaming machines may be in the same bank ofmachines, in the same casino or gaming establishment (such as throughLAN), or in two or more different casinos or gaming establishments (suchas through a WAN). In another embodiment, each individual gaming machinemaintains one or more progressive awards wherein a portion of the wagersplaced at that respective gaming machine is allocated to one or moreprogressive awards maintained by such individual gaming machine. Inanother embodiment, each individual gaming machine maintains one or moreprogressive awards and the central server simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously maintains one or more progressive awards.In one such embodiment, the lower valued, more frequently triggeredprogressive awards are maintained by the individual gaming machines andthe higher valued, less frequently triggered progressive awards aremaintained by the central server. In one embodiment, a portion of eachwager placed at a designated gaming device is allocated to one or moreprogressive awards associated with that designated gaming device. Inanother embodiment, a portion designated wagers placed at a designatedgaming device, such as a portion of each maximum wager placed or aportion of each side wager placed, is allocated to one or moreprogressive awards associated with that designated gaming device.

In one embodiment, a master host site computer is coupled to a pluralityof the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites forproviding a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system. Inone embodiment, a master host site computer may serve gaming devicesdistributed throughout a number of properties at different geographicallocations including, for example, different locations within a city ordifferent cities within a state. In one embodiment, the master host sitecomputer is maintained for the overall operation and control of thesystem. In this embodiment, a master host site computer oversees all orpart of the progressive gaming system and is the master for computingall or part of the progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sitesreport to, and receive information from, the master host site computer.Each central server computer is responsible for all data communicationbetween the gaming device hardware and software and the master host sitecomputer.

In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are arranged ina hierarchy and start at different levels such as $10, $100, $1000 and$10,000 and increment or increase until provided to a player. Theprogressive awards accumulate based on a small percentage (such as 0.1%)of coin-in or wagered amounts in a conventional manner. In oneembodiment, the percentage that goes to each progressive award is equal(such as 0.1% to each of four progressive awards). At this accrual rate,player wagers totaling $1,000,000 are required for the progressive toreach $1000. At least a fraction of this amount may be funded by thegaming establishment, such as a casino's marketing department, by usinga starting value higher than zero to make the progressives attractiveeven after they are reset. In other embodiments, two or more of theprogressive awards may be funded by different percentages. In theseembodiments, the central server and/or individual gaming deviceprocessor continues to increase the progressive levels until aprogressive award is provided to a player (upon the occurrence of aprogressive award triggering event), at which point the progressive isreset and another progressive award starts incrementing from theappropriate default progressive award level. In another embodiment, twoor more of the progressive awards may be funded at different temporalrates. In this embodiment, the different progressive awards areincremented or funded in different increments of time wherein until theprogressive hits, a set amount is added to the progressive at eachdetermined time increment. In another embodiment, two or more of theprogressive awards may each be incremented or funded based on differentincrementing factors or incrementors. In this embodiment, a first of theprogressive awards may increment each time a first incrementing factoroccurs and a second of the progressive awards may increment each time asecond incrementing factor occurs, wherein the first incrementing factorand the second incrementing factor are different. Examples ofincrementing factors could be a symbol-driven trigger in the base game,the occurrence of one or more events in a bonus game, the player bettinga maximum amount, a percentage of possible gaming machines beingactively played or in active status, or any other suitable method fordefining an incrementor.

In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are each fundedvia a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player must place orwager a side bet to be eligible to win the progressive award associatedwith the side bet. In one embodiment, the player must place the maximumbet and the side bet to be eligible to win one of the progressiveawards. In another embodiment, if the player places or wagers therequired side bet, the player may wager at any credit amount on anypayline (i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and the sidebet to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). It should beappreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each befunded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primarygames of the gaming machines in the gaming system, via a gamingestablishment or via any suitable manner. Further, it should beappreciated that a gaming system can require each player to place thesame sized wager or side bet to be eligible to win on or more of theprogressive awards. Alternatively, a gaming system enables preferredplayers (e.g., members of a club, players who meet a threshold forfrequency and/or quantity of wagers, players celebrating their birthday,anniversary or other special event, etc.) to be eligible to win one ormore of the progressive awards by placing a smaller wager or side betthan other players. It should also be appreciated that the wager or sidebet size requirements can also apply to players wagering onmulti-denominational systems. For example, both a player wagering innickel increments and a player wagering in dollar increments arerequired to place the same sized side bet (e.g., $5) to be eligible towin the progressive awards.

In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are each fundedvia a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player must place orwager a side bet to be eligible to win the progressive award associatedwith the side bet. In one embodiment, the player must place the maximumbet and the side bet to be eligible to win one of the progressiveawards. In another embodiment, if the player places or wagers therequired side bet, the player may wager at any credit amount on anypayline (i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and the sidebet to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). It should beappreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each befunded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primarygames of the gaming machines in the gaming system, via a gamingestablishment or via any suitable manner. Further, it should beappreciated that a gaming system can require each player to place thesame sized wager or side bet to be eligible to win one or more of theprogressive awards. Alternatively, a gaming system enables preferredplayers (e.g., members of a club, players who meet a threshold forfrequency and/or quantity of wagers, players celebrating their birthday,anniversary or other special event, etc.) to be eligible to win one ormore of the progressive awards by placing a smaller wager or side betthan other players. It should also be appreciated that the wager or sidebet size requirements can also apply to players wagering onmulti-denominational systems. For example, both a player wagering innickel increments and a player wagering in dollar increments arerequired to place the same sized side bet (e.g., $5) to be eligible towin the progressive awards.

In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is required for agaming machine to qualify to be selected to obtain one of theprogressive awards. In one embodiment, this minimum wager level is themaximum wager level for the primary game in the gaming machine. Inanother embodiment, this minimum wager level is placing a wager on allavailable paylines in a slot primary game or alternatively placing awager on all available poker hands in a multi-hand poker primary game.In another embodiment, no minimum wager level is required for a gamingmachine to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the progressiveawards.

In one embodiment, the central server or other central controllerdetermines when one or more progressive award wins are triggered. Inthis embodiment, a central controller and an individual gaming machinework in conjunction with each other to determine when a progressiveaward win is triggered, for example through an individual gaming machinemeeting a predetermined requirement or criteria established by thecentral controller. In another embodiment, an individual gaming machinemay determine when one or more progressive award wins are triggered. Inanother embodiment, an individual gaming machine may determine when atleast one progressive award win is triggered and the central controllerdetermines when at least one progressive award win is triggered.

In one embodiment, different gaming devices in the gaming system havedifferent progressive awards available to the player. In one suchembodiment, different types of gaming devices are associated withdifferent types of progressive awards based on the configuration of thegaming system. In one embodiment, zero, one or more progressive awardsmay be associated with each of the gaming devices in the gaming systemwhile zero, one or more different progressive awards may be associatedwith a plurality of, but not all of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem.

In one embodiment, progressive awards are associated with a startupvalue, a trigger value and a progressive award amount. A startup valueis the value to which a progressive award value is initially set orreset upon being won. As described above or in any other suitablemanner, the progressive award value is increased based on a portion ofone or more wagers until the progressive award is won. In oneembodiment, a progressive award is won when an accumulated award amountmeets or exceeds the trigger value. In one embodiment, the trigger valuefor a progressive award is the startup value for that progressive award.In other embodiments, the trigger value is independent of the startupvalue.

In one embodiment, a bonus or secondary game is initiated upon theoccurrence of a triggering event. In one embodiment, the triggering ofthe bonus event occurs through a game play event, such as the generationof a designated symbol or symbol combination or any other suitablesymbol-driven trigger, at an individual gaming machine in the gamingsystem. In another embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event occursindependent of any game play event which may occur in any primary gameor any secondary game played at one or more gaming machines in thegaming system.

In one such embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event occurs basedon at least one accumulated value progressive award incremented to aprogressive award hit value. In this embodiment, the gaming systemincludes one or more accumulated value progressive awards or N^(th) coinprogressive awards. Such accumulated value progressive awards are drivenby an amount of wagers placed or a suitable coin-in amount. In one suchembodiment, each accumulated value progressive award is associated witha range of values, wherein each progressive award will be provided to aplayer of a gaming device in the gaming system when the progressiveaward increments to a progressive award hit value within the range ofvalues associated with that progressive award. That is, when anaccumulated value progressive award increases to a determinedprogressive award hit value, a triggering of the bonus event will occur.In different embodiments, the progressive award hit value at which anaccumulated value progressive award causes a triggering of the bonusevent to occur is predetermined, randomly determined, determined basedon the wagers placed in the gaming system, determined based on thestatus of one or more players (such as determined through a playertracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on anyother suitable method. In this embodiment, after the accumulated valueprogressive award causes a triggering of the bonus event to occur, theaccumulated value progressive award is reset to a default value andstarts incrementing from the default progressive award level.

In operation of one such embodiment, the central server which hosts oneof these accumulated value progressive awards: (1) determines a minimumamount and a maximum amount for the progressive award or prize pool, (2)provides that the progressive award or prize pool starts at the minimum,(3) determines an accumulated value progressive award hit value betweenthe minimum amount and the maximum amount, (4) increments theprogressive award or prize pool with a configured percent of coin-in,and (5) causes a triggering of the bonus event to occur when theprogressive award or prize pool equals the determined accumulated valueprogressive award hit value. In this embodiment, the accumulated valueprogressive award hit value is determined at random to maintain fairnessfor the players at the gaming devices in the gaming system, wherein theplayers are not aware of any determined accumulated value progressiveaward hit value.

In different embodiments, the range of values associated with anaccumulated value progressive award is predetermined, randomlydetermined, determined based on the wagers placed in the gaming system,determined based on the status of one or more players (such asdetermined through a player tracking system), determined based on time,or determined based on any other suitable method. In one embodiment, aplurality of accumulated value progressive awards are associated withdifferent value ranges. In another embodiment, each of a plurality ofaccumulated value progressive awards are associated with a differentvalue range. In another embodiment, a plurality of accumulated valueprogressive awards are associated with the same value range. In anotherembodiment, the value range associated with an accumulated valueprogressive award a player plays for is based on a player's status (viaa player tracking system). For example, a bronze level player may playfor an accumulated value progressive award associated with a value rangeof $10 to $100, a silver player may play for an accumulated valueprogressive award associated with a value range of $200 to $500 and agold player may play for an accumulated value progressive awardassociated with a value range of $1000 to $5000.

In another embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event is based ontime. In this embodiment, a time is set for when a triggering event willoccur. In one embodiment, such a set time is based on historic data. Forexample, if previous bonus event triggers have occurred afterapproximately sixty-seven hours, a bonus event may be set to triggersixty-seven hours from the conclusion of the previous bonus event. Inone embodiment, a suitable algorithm is implemented to determine theplayer who wagered at or closest to this time with tie-breaking based onany number of factors (e.g., player tracking history, amount of orrecent wagers placed). In this embodiment, the gaming device which thealgorithm determined wagered closest to when the bonus event triggeredis designated the triggering gaming device. In another embodiment, oneof the gaming devices which placed a wager during a designated timeperiod is randomly selected and designated as the triggering gamingdevice.

In another such embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event is basedon a predefined variable reaching a defined parameter threshold. Forexample, the bonus event is triggered when the 500^(th) different playerhas played a gaming machine associated with one of the progressiveawards (ascertained from a player tracking system). In differentembodiments, the predefined parameter thresholds include a length oftime, a length of time after a certain dollar amount is hit, a wagerlevel threshold for a specific machine (which gaming device is the firstto contribute $250,000), a number of gaming machines active, or anyother parameter that would define a threshold for the progressive.

In another embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event occurs after arandom number of plays in which a progressive award is not provided to aplayer. In another embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event isbased upon gaming system operator defined player eligibility parametersstored on a player tracking system (such as via a player tracking cardor other suitable manner). In another embodiment, the triggering of thebonus event is based upon gaming system operator defined playereligibility parameters stored on a player tracking system (such as via aplayer tracking card or other suitable manner).

In another such embodiment, the triggering of the bonus event includes asystem determination which is based on a random selection by the centralcontroller. In this embodiment, the central controller tracks all activegaming machines and the wagers they placed (via an accumulated wagerpool). When the accumulated wager pool at least exceeds a predefinedthreshold, the central controller randomly determines (at predeterminedintervals) if a bonus event will occur. In one embodiment, the playerwho consistently places a higher wager is more likely to receive cause abonus event to be triggered than a player who consistently places aminimum wager.

In another such embodiment, the central controller determines, incooperation with the gaming device, when to trigger a bonus event byutilizing one or more random number generators. In this embodiment, thecentral controller determines when to trigger a bonus event bydetermining if any numbers allotted to a gaming device match a randomlyselected number. In one such embodiment, upon or prior to each play ofeach gaming machine, a random number is selected from a range of numbersand during each primary game, the gaming machine allocates the first Nnumbers in the range, where N is the number of credits bet by the playerin that primary game. At the end of the primary game, the randomlyselected number is compared with the numbers allocated to the player andif a match occurs, that particular gaming machine triggers a bonusevent. It should be appreciated that any suitable manner of triggeringthe bonus event may be implemented with the gaming system disclosedherein.

Progression Through Progressive Award Wins

In one embodiment, a triggered secondary or bonus game enables a playerto win one or more progressive awards. That is, a player is provided achance to move up one or more progressive award levels of an MLP,wherein winning progressive award levels is based on the outcome of thesecondary game. Further, the gaming system disclosed herein provides aplayer an improved chance of winning higher progressive awards when alower progressive award is won by increasing a total award value basedon the lower progressive award.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, a gaming system of one embodiment includes aplurality of progressive awards arranged in a hierarchy. Upon theoccurrence of a triggering event or qualifying condition, a bonus orsecondary game is started. Specifically, there are four progressiveawards arranged from first (lowest startup value) to fourth (higheststartup value). The first progressive award 102 a has a startup value of$5 and a trigger value of $5. The progressive award value of the firstprogressive award 102 a is illustrated as being $9.50. The secondprogressive award 102 b has a startup value of $20 and a trigger valueof $20. The progressive award value of the second progressive award 102b is illustrated as being $30. The third progressive award 102 c has astartup value of $100 and a trigger value of $100. The progressive awardvalue of the third progressive award 102 c is illustrated as being $150.The fourth progressive award 102 d has a startup value of $1000 and atrigger value of $1000. The progressive award value of the fourthprogressive award 102 d is illustrated as being $1200. Other embodimentshave other suitable numbers of progressive awards with various othersuitable startup and award values.

During the bonus game, the player can win a next higher progressiveaward in the hierarchy by accumulating award values or alternativelypoints. FIG. 3A illustrates the display of the bonus game at the startof the game. A message area 112 displays a message indicating that thebonus game is triggered because the most recent spin result from theprimary game included three “7” symbols on one payline. The total awardvalue is set to zero and is displayed in total award indicator or meter110. Because the bonus game has not progressed to the first spin, thereis no award value for the current spin. However, the award this spinindicator or meter 106 also displays a value of zero.

The player is provided one or more spins or activations of one or moresymbol generators, such as reels. Specifically, the player is providedwith a predetermined number of spins which may be dependent orindependent of a player's wager or one or more triggering events. Morespecifically, as explained in message area 112, the player is providedwith three spins because three “7” symbols were generated on onepayline. If three bar symbols were generated on one payline, the playerwould have received ten spins, for example. The number of spinsremaining (i.e., 3) is displayed in remaining spins indicator or meter114. After each spin, the number of remaining spins is reduced by one.If the number of remaining spins is zero, the bonus game ends.

The one or more symbol generators each include or are otherwiseassociated with a plurality of symbols 104. One or more symbols 104 orsymbol combinations are associated with award values, bonus gameterminators, or progressive award wins. Specifically, the relationshipsbetween awards and symbols or symbol combinations are the same as in aprimary game.

If the spin result includes symbols or combinations associated withaward values, the total resulting award value is displayed in award thisspin indicator 106. The total resulting award value for the spin is alsoadded to the player's total award value and displayed in the total awardindicator 110.

FIG. 3B shows the result of the player's first spin of the bonus game. Amessage in the message area 112 explains that three cherry symbols onone payline results in an award of $4.50. As a result, the award thisspin indicator 106 displays the amount of $4.50. The total award value($0) is increased by the award for this spin ($4.50). As a result, thetotal award indicator 110 also displays a value of $4.50. Further, theremaining spins indicator 114 displays that two spins remain.

During play of the bonus game, if the player's total award value asdisplayed in the total award indicator 110 is greater than or equal to atrigger value for a progressive award, the player wins the progressiveaward. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the triggervalue for each of the four progressive awards is the startup value ofthe progressive award. As a result, no progressive award is won by thespin illustrated in FIG. 3B. However, FIG. 3C illustrates the results ofa second spin in which the generation of three moneybag symbols on onepayline results in an award of $1.25.

Award this spin indicator 106 in FIG. 3C displays the amount of $1.25.As explained in message area 112, the total award value is increased to$5.75 ($4.50+$1.25), which is greater than the trigger value of thefirst progressive award. As a result, the player wins the firstprogressive award and the first progressive award is provided to theplayer. The total award value is set to the first progressive awardvalue of $9.50, and the total award indicator 110 displays the amount of$9.50. As a result, the player is advanced closer to reaching thetrigger values for the higher progressive awards. In other words, theplayer only needs to accumulate an additional $11.50 to win the secondprogressive prize rather than an additional $14.25. Further, theremaining spins indicator 114 displays that one spin remains.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the first progressive award is reset to its startupvalue. FIG. 3D also shows the result of the third spin. The spin resultincludes a terminator symbol 108. As explained in message area 112, as aresult of the generation of the terminator symbol 108, the bonus gameends. It should be noted that even if the terminator symbol 108 was notgenerated, the bonus game would end because, as displayed in remainingspins indicator 114, the number of remaining spins is zero.

It should be noted that in other embodiments, the total award indicator110 is set to the value of a progressive award awarded to the player atinitiation of the bonus game or any other suitable amount. For example,as shown in FIG. 3E, the first progressive award value ($9.50) becomesthe player's total award value at the start of the bonus game.

It should also be noted that in other embodiments, the player can winadditional spins during play of the secondary or bonus game. Forexample, FIG. 3F shows the result of the third spin, following the spinshown in FIG. 3C, in which a free spin symbol 116 is generated insteadof a terminator symbol. As explained in message area 112, the number ofremaining spins is increased by one. As a result, remaining spinsindicator 114 displays one spin remaining and the bonus game continues.

In other embodiments, a number of remaining spins is not maintained.Instead, the player is provided additional spins or activations until agame terminating condition (e.g., winning a top progressive award, aterminator symbol or combination being generated, a lack of one or moresymbols or combinations being generated, etc.) occurs. In oneembodiment, the player can win anti-terminators during play of the bonusgame. If a player wins an anti-terminator and a terminator symbol isgenerated on a subsequent spin, the anti-terminator counters the effectsof the terminator symbol, enabling the game to continue.

It should also be noted that in an alternative embodiment, therelationships between symbols or combinations and awards are differentin the primary and bonus games. For example, three cherry symbols on apayline is associated with an award of $10 in the primary game, but only$1.25 in the game.

In one embodiment, if a player wins a progressive award but theprogressive award is lower than the total award value, the total awardvalue is not set to the progressive award value. For example, if boththe trigger value and the progressive award value for a progressiveaward are $5 and the total award value is $5.75, the player wins theprogressive award. However, the total award value is not set to $5.

In another embodiment, instead of increasing the player's total awardvalue to the progressive award value, the total award value is increasedby the progressive award value. For example, FIG. 3G shows the result ofthe second spin of the bonus game, similar to FIG. 3C, in which theprogressive award value is added to the total award value. Because thetotal award value ($5.75) is increased by the first progressive award($9.50), the total award indicator 110 displays a value of $15.25.

In another embodiment, the amount by which the trigger value is exceeded(e.g., $0.75 in FIG. 3C) is added to the total award value after thetotal award value is set to the progressive award value. As a result,the total award value shown in FIG. 3C would become $10.25. In differentembodiments, the total award value is increased when a progressive awardis won by another suitable amount, including but not limited to: apredetermined amount which is not dependent on a progressive awardvalue, a randomly determined amount within a range of amounts, apercentage or portion of the difference between the total award valueand the next trigger value, a predetermined amount less than thedifference between the total award value and the next trigger value, apercentage or portion of the progressive award value won or a percentageor portion of the total award value.

In another embodiment, the amount by which the trigger value is exceededfunds the start up value for the next progressive award level. Inanother embodiment, the amount by which the trigger value is exceededfunds the start up value for the player's previous progressive awardlevel (i.e., the progressive award level associated with the recentlyreached trigger value). In another embodiment, the amount by which thetrigger value is exceeded is provided to the player in addition to anyprogressive award value. In another embodiment, the amount of theplayer's total award value (prior to being increased to a progressiveaward value upon reaching an appropriate trigger value) funds the startup value for the player's previous progressive award level. In anotherembodiment, the amount of the player's total award value (prior to beingincreased to a progressive award value upon reaching an appropriatetrigger value) funds the start up value for the next progressive awardlevel.

In another embodiment, progressive awards won in the bonus game are notnecessarily provided to the player before another spin or at any othertime in the game. For example, a terminator symbol or combination can,in addition to ending the game, eliminate any progressive awards wonduring the game. In one embodiment having such a terminator, a player isprovided an opportunity to end the game and receive any accumulatedawards before making another spin. For example, FIGS. 3H and 3I showspins similar to the spins shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, except that theplayer is provided with an opportunity to end the game by pressing cashout button 118 instead of spinning again. Further, as explained inmessage area of FIG. 3I, because the terminator symbol 108 wasgenerated, the first progressive award is not provided to the player.Instead, the first progressive award is not reset to its startup valueand remains winnable by this or another player in the future.

In various embodiments, any suitable amount, including zero, is providedto the player at the end of the bonus game. For example, even if aplayer loses all progressive awards won during the bonus game, theplayer is provided $5. In another embodiment, the player loses anyprogressive award won during the bonus game if the player wins aprogressive award, decides to continue playing for the next progressiveaward and fails to win the next trigger award. The player is providedthe opportunity to decide whether to proceed after each progressiveaward is won, enabling the player to consider the amount needed to reachthe next progressive award and the size of the next progressive awardwhen making the determination.

In different embodiments, the total award value is provided to theplayer instead of or in addition to any progressive award won during thebonus game. For example, FIG. 3J shows an alternative result of thethird spin of the bonus game of FIG. 3C. The spin results in threecherry symbols on one payline. As explained in message area 112 anddisplayed in award this spin indicator 106, the award for this spin is$4.50. As a result, the total award value ($9.50) is increased to $14;however, the total award value is not greater than or equal to thetrigger value ($20) of the second progressive award. Further, as shownin remaining spins indicator 114, no spins remain. Thus, the bonus gameends and the total award value is provided to the player. In anotherembodiment, the higher of the progressive award and the total awardvalue is provided to the player.

It should be noted that in one embodiment, one or more of theprogressive award values can be increased (e.g., increased due toanother player's wager) or decreased (e.g., reset when won by anotherplayer) during the bonus game. For example, FIG. 3K shows an alternativeresult of a first spin following FIG. 3A. The second progressive awardvalue is increased to $30.01, and the third progressive award value isreset to $100.00.

In one embodiment, the trigger value for a progressive award isindependent of the startup value. For example, in FIG. 3L, the fourthprogressive award has a startup value of $1000.00 and a trigger value of$750.00. Similarly, the third progressive award has a startup value of$100.00 and a trigger value of $125.00.

In one embodiment, a player is only provided one of the progressiveawards won (or qualified for) during the game. For example, if after thespin result illustrated in FIG. 3C, a subsequent spin resulted in atleast $11.50 in awards, the player would win the second progressiveprize. Assuming the bonus game ends before the total award value reaches$100, the player is provided the second progressive award value ($30)and not the first progressive award value ($9.50). As a result, thesecond progressive award value is reset to $20 and the first progressiveaward value remains $9.50.

In one embodiment, at least one progressive award is associated with amaximum value. The maximum value can be any suitable value, includingbut not limited to a startup value of a progressive award that is higherin the hierarchy. In an example embodiment similar to the oneillustrated in FIG. 3A, the maximum value for the first progressiveaward is $20, the maximum value for the second progressive award is$100, the maximum value for the third progressive award is $1000 and thefourth progressive award has no maximum value.

In various embodiments, after a progressive award value is incrementedto its maximum value, additional values which would otherwise incrementthe progressive award value are allocated for different uses. Forexample, the additional values are stored for later use to fund thestartup value of this or another progressive award. Alternatively, theadditional values or a portion of the additional values fund an increasein the startup value for some progressive award. For example, before themaxed-out second progressive award is won, $15 is accumulated from theadditional values. Instead of the second progressive award being resetupon being awarded to its startup value of $20, it is reset to $35. Inanother embodiment, the additional values are added to the progressivevalue of the next non-maxed-out progressive award in the hierarchy. Forexample, if a wager would cause $0.05 to be added to the firstprogressive award, but the first and second progressive award values areat their respective maximum values, the $0.05 is added to the thirdprogressive award value.

In an alternative embodiment, the trigger value necessary to win aprogressive award is dependent upon the total award value at some pointin the bonus game. For example, the trigger value for a secondprogressive award is $25 more than the total award value when the firstprogressive award is won. In this example, the first progressive awardvalue is $15, and the trigger value for the first progressive award is$10. If the player wins the first progressive award by having a totalaward value of $10 and the total award value becomes $25 ($10+$15), theplayer must reach at least a total award value of $50 to win the secondprogressive award. If instead, the player wins the first progressiveaward by having a total award value of $10.75 and the total award valuebecomes $25.75 ($10.75+$15), the player must reach at least a totalaward value of $50.75 to win the second progressive award. It should benoted that the trigger amount can be dependent in any suitable mannerupon the total award value at some point in the bonus game, includingbut not limited to: being a fixed amount higher, being a fixedpercentage higher or being a randomly generated amount (or percentage)within a range of amounts higher.

In one embodiment, total award values persist for use in a later playedgame. In one embodiment, a persistent total award value is associatedwith an individual player. As a result, the player is able to accumulateawards values in a bonus game, save the total award value, stop playingfor a period of time, return to playing and not lose the total awardvalue the player previously won. Alternatively, the persistent totalaward values are associated with a gaming device. As a result, if afirst player accumulates a total award value in a bonus game of a gamingdevice and then stops playing, the total award value is stored. The nextplayer to play the bonus game on the gaming device plays using the totalaward value previously accumulated by the first player.

In one embodiment, when a player wins a progressive award, otherplayer's total award values are reduced. In another embodiment, when aplayer wins a progressive award, the trigger value for one or moreprogressive awards is increased. As a result, a player that is close tohaving a high enough total award value to win a progressive award isencouraged to continue playing. Otherwise, the player risks becomingfurther away from winning the progressive award when another player winsa progressive award.

In one embodiment, a player is able to win a progressive prize if theplayer accumulates a trigger amount of award values within a time frame.For example, if a player accumulates $50 in an hour, the player wins afirst progressive prize. Similarly, if the player accumulates $250 in anhour, the player wins a second progressive prize. In one embodiment,only one time frame per player is active at one time. For example, aplayer needs to accumulate $50 in an hour to win a progressive prize. Atthe start of the hour, the player accumulates $5. However, the playerdoes not accumulate any additional awards until the last five minutes ofthe hour, when the player accumulates an additional $40. At the end ofthe hour, the player only has $45 and a new hour begins. Even if theplayer accumulates an additional $10 in the first five minutes of thenext hour, the player does not win the progressive prize.

In an alternative embodiment, a player is able to win a progressiveaward by accumulating a trigger amount of award values in any timeframe. In the above example, after accumulating the $10, the playerwould have accumulated $50 within an hour and would therefore win aprogressive award.

In another embodiment, the server based game includes tournament play.Prizes are arranged in a hierarchy and include cash prizes or otheritems. A player moves up the prize hierarchy by increasing his or hertotal award value. Further, when a player reaches the next prize level,the player's total award value is increased based on the prize won atthat level (e.g., all or a portion of a progressive award value for thelevel) or any other suitable value.

FIG. 4 illustrates the process of operating a gaming device in whichprogressive awards are provided to a player when a total award value ina bonus game is greater than or equal to a trigger value for theprogressive award and in which the total award value is set to theprogressive award when the progressive award is won in accordance withone embodiment. At step 200, a primary game is played based on a wager.At step 202, it is determined whether a triggering event occurs. Thetriggering event can be any suitable triggering event, including but notlimited to those already described above. If the triggering event doesnot occur, the process repeats at step 200.

If the triggering event occurs, at step 204, a total award value is setto an initial value (e.g., zero or a progressive award value) and a nextprogressive award is determined. For example, if no progressive awardhas been won during the bonus game, the first progressive award is thenext progressive award. Similarly, if the first progressive award hasalready been won in this play of the bonus game but the secondprogressive award has not, the second progressive award is the nextprogressive award, and so on. At step 206, one or more symbols aregenerated. At step 208, it is determined whether a terminator symbol orcombination is generated. If a terminator symbol is generated, theprocess repeats at step 200.

If a terminator symbol is not generated, at step 210, it is determinedwhether a top progressive winning trigger event occurs. The topprogressive winning trigger event can be any suitable trigger, includingbut not limited to a symbol combination being generated. If a topprogressive winning trigger event occurs, at step 212, the topprogressive award is provided to the player and the process repeats atstep 200.

If a top progressive winning trigger event does not occur, at step 214,an award value associated with the generated one or more symbols isdetermined. At step 216, the total award value is incremented by thedetermined award value. At step 218, it is determined whether the totalaward value is greater than or equal to the trigger value for the nextprogressive award in the progressive award hierarchy. If the total awardvalue is less than the trigger value for the next progressive award, theprocess repeats at step 206.

If the total award value is greater than or equal to the trigger valuefor the next progressive award in the progressive award hierarchy, atstep 220, it is determined whether the next progressive award is the topprogressive award. If the next progressive award is the top progressiveaward, the process continues at step 212.

If the next progressive award is not the top progressive award, at step222, the total award value is set to the next progressive award, and thenext progressive award is provided to the player. In other words, theplayer wins the next progressive award and the total award value isincreased to that progressive award value. At step 224, a new nextprogressive award is determined and the process repeats at step 218.

In an alternative embodiment, if the total award value is alreadygreater than the next progressive award value (e.g., the progressivevalue is $20.25, the trigger value is $20, and the total award valueafter being incremented by the spin result is $20.50), at step 222 thetotal award value is not set to the progressive value. Instead, thetotal award value is not changed. In an alternative embodiment, thetotal award value is incremented by any suitable value, such as theaward value of one or more of the previous spins.

FIG. 5 illustrates the process of operating a gaming device in which atotal award value is provided to a player at the end of a bonus game andin which a total award value is incremented by a progressive award valuewhen the total award value is greater than or equal to a trigger valuefor the progressive award in accordance with one embodiment. At step300, a primary game is played based on a wager. At step 302, it isdetermined whether a triggering event occurs. The triggering event canbe any suitable triggering event, including but not limited to thosealready described above. If the triggering event does not occur, theprocess repeats at step 300.

If the triggering event occurs, at step 304, a total award value is setto an initial value (e.g., zero or a progressive award value) and a nextprogressive award in the progressive award hierarchy (e.g., the lowestprogressive award) is determined. At step 306, one or more symbols aregenerated. At step 308, it is determined whether a terminator symbol orcombination is generated. If a terminator symbol is generated, at step310, the total award value is provided to the player and the processrepeats at step 300.

If a terminator symbol is not generated, at step 312, it is determinedwhether a top progressive winning trigger event occurs. The topprogressive winning trigger event can be any suitable trigger, includingbut not limited to a symbol combination being generated. If a topprogressive winning trigger event occurs, at step 314, the total awardvalue is increased by the top progressive award and the processcontinues at step 310.

If a top progressive winning trigger event does not occur, at step 316,an award value associated with the generated one or more symbols isdetermined. At step 318, the total award value is incremented by thedetermined award value. At step 320, it is determined whether the totalaward value is greater than or equal to the trigger value for the nextprogressive award in the progressive award hierarchy. If the total awardvalue is less than the trigger value for the next progressive award, theprocess repeats at step 306.

If the total award value is greater than or equal to the trigger valuefor the next progressive award in the progressive award hierarchy, atstep 322, it is determined whether the next progressive award is the topprogressive award. If the next progressive award is the top progressiveaward, the process continues at step 314.

If the next progressive award is not the top progressive award, at step324, the total award value is increased by the next progressive award.At step 326, a new next progressive award is determined and the processrepeats at step 320.

In an alternative embodiment, a progressive award is won based on atotal award value only when the total award value is exactly equal tothe trigger value associated with the progressive award. A player isprovided with the opportunity to accumulate awards to produce a totalaward value as described above or in any other suitable manner. If thetotal award value is equal to the trigger value associated with one ofthe progressive awards in the hierarchy, the player wins thatprogressive award. In various embodiments, the total award value is setto or incremented by a progressive award if that progressive award iswon. In another embodiment, the total award value is not increased basedon the progressive award value.

In one embodiment, the game ends if the total award value exceeds thetrigger value associated with the top progressive award. For example, ifthe value associated with the top progressive award is $100 and thetotal award value is $105, the game ends. In another embodiment, ratherthan the game ending when a total award value exceeds the trigger valueassociated with the top progressive award, the total award value isreset to an initial value. In still another embodiment, the total awardvalue is set to the amount the total award value exceeds the triggervalue associated with the top progressive award. For example, if thetrigger value associated with the top progressive award is $100 and thetotal award value is $105, the total award value is set to $5.

In one embodiment, the game has a progressive award for every possibletotal award value within a range of values. For example, one hundred oneprogressive awards are associated with trigger values ranging from $0.00to $1.00 in $0.01 increments.

In one embodiment, the frequencies of occurrences of individual awardsare set such that one of the progressive awards is less likely to be wonthan another progressive award during the play of the bonus game. In anexample, the probability of a spin resulting in an award of $0.00 is onein ten million. Consequently, the lowest progressive award in thehierarchy (e.g., the progressive award with a trigger value of $0.00) iswon infrequently and only on the first spin of a bonus game. As aresult, the lowest progressive award can increase in value to beinghigher than other available progressive awards. Further, because thelowest progressive award would be winnable on the first spin oractivation provided to a player, the player's excitement during thatfirst spin is increased compared to when only smaller progressive awardscan be won on the first spin or activation.

An example embodiment has one hundred one progressive awards, associatedwith trigger values of $0.00 to $1.00. The trigger value is the same asthe startup value for each progressive award. The maximum award that canbe accumulated on any one spin is $0.75, and the minimum is $0.00. As aresult, the player will win at least one progressive award during playof the bonus game unless a terminator symbol or combination isgenerated. As described above, the probability of a spin generating anaward of $0.00 is one in ten million. As a result, the progressive prizeassociated with the trigger value of $0.00 is likely to grow large overtime. Because the large prize, possibly the largest of the progressiveawards, is winnable on the first spin of the bonus game, a player'sexcitement and interest in playing the game is increased.

In this embodiment, if a progressive award is won, the total award valueis set to the progressive award. If the new total award value is equalto the trigger value for another progressive award, the otherprogressive award is also provided. For example, if the total awardvalue is $0.25, and the progressive award associated with a trigger of$0.25 has a progressive award value of $1.00, the total award value isset to $1.00, and the progressive award associated with the triggervalue of $1.00 is also provided to the player.

FIG. 6 illustrates the process of operating a gaming device in whichprogressive awards are provided to a player when a total award value ina bonus game is equal to a trigger value for the progressive award andin which the total award value is set to the progressive award valuewhen the progressive award is won in accordance with one embodiment. Atstep 400, a primary game is played based on a wager. At step 402, it isdetermined whether a triggering event occurs. The triggering event canbe any suitable triggering event, including but not limited to thosealready described above. If the triggering event does not occur, theprocess repeats at step 400.

If the triggering event occurs, at step 404, a total award value is setto an initial value (e.g., zero). At step 406, one or more symbols aregenerated. At step 408, it is determined whether a terminator symbol orcombination is generated. If a terminator symbol is generated, theprocess repeats at step 400.

If a terminator symbol is not generated, at step 410, it is determinedwhether a top progressive winning trigger event occurs. The topprogressive winning trigger event can be any suitable trigger, includingbut not limited to a symbol combination being generated. If a topprogressive winning trigger event occurs, at step 412, the topprogressive award (in this embodiment, the progressive award with thehighest progressive award value regardless of the trigger value) isprovided to the player and the process repeats at step 400.

If a top progressive winning trigger event does not occur, at step 414,an award associated with the generated one or more symbols isdetermined. At step 416, the total award value is incremented by thedetermined award. At step 418, it is determined whether the total awardvalue is greater than the trigger value for the highest progressiveaward in the progressive award hierarchy. If the total award value isgreater than the trigger value for the highest progressive award, theprocess repeats at step 400.

If the total award value is less than or equal to the trigger value forthe highest progressive award in the progressive award hierarchy, atstep 420, the progressive award having a trigger value of the totalaward value is determined. At step 422, the determined progressive awardis provided to the player and the total award value is set to thedetermined progressive award and the process repeats at step 418.

In one embodiment, the accumulated progressive award is only increasedbased on awards generated in a spin. For example, if a progressive awardis won, the total award value is unaffected by the progressive awardwin. FIG. 7 illustrates the process of operating a gaming device inwhich progressive awards are provided to a player when a total awardvalue in a bonus game is equal to a trigger value for the progressiveaward and in which the total award value is only incremented in responseto awards generated in a spin in accordance with one embodiment. At step500, a primary game is played based on a wager. At step 502, it isdetermined whether a triggering event occurs. The triggering event canbe any suitable triggering event, including but not limited to thosealready described above. If the triggering event does not occur, theprocess repeats at step 500.

If the triggering event occurs, at step 504, a total award value is setto an initial value (e.g., zero). At step 506, one or more symbols aregenerated. At step 508, it is determined whether a terminator symbol orcombination is generated. If a terminator symbol is generated, theprocess repeats at step 500.

If a terminator symbol is not generated, at step 510, it is determinedwhether a top progressive winning trigger event occurs. The topprogressive winning trigger event can be any suitable trigger, includingbut not limited to a symbol combination being generated. If a topprogressive winning trigger event occurs, at step 512, the topprogressive award is provided to the player and the process repeats atstep 500.

If a top progressive winning trigger event does not occur, at step 514,an award associated with the generated one or more symbols isdetermined. At step 516, the total award value is incremented by thedetermined award. At step 518, it is determined whether the total awardvalue is greater than the trigger value for the highest progressiveaward in the progressive award hierarchy. If the total award value isgreater than the trigger value for the highest progressive award, theprocess repeats at step 500.

If the total award value is less than or equal to the trigger value forthe highest progressive award in the progressive award hierarchy, atstep 520, the progressive award having a trigger value of the totalaward value is determined. At step 522, the determined progressive awardis provided to the player and the process repeats at step 506.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: ahousing; a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, saidplurality of input devices including: (i) an acceptor, and (ii) acashout device; at least one display device; at least one processor; andat least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructionswhich, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at leastone processor to operate with the plurality of input devices and the atleast one display device to: (a) if a physical item is received via theacceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on amonetary value associated with the received physical item, (b) receive aplacement of a wager in association with a play of a wagering game, (c)for the play of the wagering game: (i) determine a wagering gameoutcome, (ii) display the determined wagering game outcome, (iii)accumulate any points associated with the play of the wagering game,(iv) determine any award associated with the determined wagering gameoutcome, and (v) display any determined award associated with thedetermined wagering game outcome, (d) if a triggering event occurs: (i)for each of a plurality of free games: (A) determine a free gameoutcome, and (B) display the determined free game outcome, (ii)accumulate any points associated with the occurrence of the triggeringevent, (iii) determine an award associated with the occurrence of thetriggering event, said determination being based, at least in part, on aquantity of accumulated points and any determined awards associated withthe determined free game outcomes, and (iv) display the determined awardassociated with the occurrence of the triggering event, and (e) if acashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation ofany payout associated with the credit balance.
 2. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, theplurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to accumulateany points associated with the determined wagering game outcome.
 3. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least oneprocessor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least oneprocessor to accumulate any points associated with any of the displayedfree game outcomes.
 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each freegame outcome is associated with a combination of symbols and at leastone of any accumulated points is associated with at least one of saidsymbols.
 5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplaced wager, any award associated with the determined wagering gameoutcome, any award associated with the occurrence of the triggeringevent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a quantityof monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, a quantity ofpromotional credits, and a quantity of player tracking points.
 6. Agaming system server comprising: at least one processor; and at leastone memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processorto: (a) receive data associated with a placement of a wager inassociation with a play of a wagering game, wherein a credit balance isdecreasable based on the placed wager, said credit balance beingincreasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with amonetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable via a cashoutdevice, (b) for the play of the wagering game: (i) determine a wageringgame outcome, (ii) cause at least one display device to display thedetermined wagering game outcome, (iii) accumulate any points associatedwith the play of the wagering game, (iv) determine any award associatedwith the determined wagering game outcome, and (v) cause the at leastone display device to display any determined award associated with thedetermined wagering game outcome, wherein the credit balance isincreasable based on any determined award associated with the determinedwagering game outcome, and (c) if a triggering event occurs: (i) foreach of a plurality of free games: (A) determine a free game outcome,and (B) cause the at least one display device to display the determinedfree game outcome, (ii) accumulate any points associated with theoccurrence of the triggering event, (iii) determine an award associatedwith the occurrence of the triggering event, said determination beingbased, at least in part, on a quantity of accumulated points and anydetermined awards associated with the determined free game outcomes, and(iv) cause the at least one display device to display the determinedaward associated with the occurrence of the triggering event, whereinthe credit balance is increasable based on the determined awardassociated with the occurrence of the triggering event.
 7. The gamingsystem server of claim 6, wherein when executed by the at least oneprocessor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least oneprocessor to accumulate any points associated with the determinedwagering game outcome.
 8. The gaming system server of claim 6, whereinwhen executed by the at least one processor, the plurality ofinstructions cause the at least one processor to accumulate any pointsassociated with any of the displayed free game outcomes.
 9. The gamingsystem server of claim 6, wherein each free game outcome is associatedwith a combination of symbols and at least one of any accumulated pointsis associated with at least one of said symbols.
 10. The gaming systemserver of claim 6, wherein at least one of the placed wager, any awardassociated with the determined wagering game outcome, any awardassociated with the occurrence of the triggering event is at least oneselected from the group consisting of: a quantity of monetary credits, aquantity of non-monetary credits, a quantity of promotional credits, anda quantity of player tracking points.
 11. A method of operating a gamingsystem, said method comprising: (a) receiving a placement of a wager inassociation with a play of a wagering game, wherein a credit balance isdecreasable based on the placed wager, said credit balance beingincreasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with amonetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable via a cashoutdevice, (b) for the play of the wagering game: (i) causing at least oneprocessor to execute a plurality of instructions to determine a wageringgame outcome, (ii) causing at least one display device to display thedetermined wagering game outcome, (iii) causing the at least oneprocessor to execute the plurality of instructions to accumulate anypoints associated with the play of the wagering game, (iv) causing theat least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions todetermine any award associated with the determined wagering gameoutcome, and (v) causing the at least one display device to display anydetermined award associated with the determined wagering game outcome,wherein the credit balance is increasable based on any determined awardassociated with the determined wagering game outcome, and (c) if atriggering event occurs: (i) for each of a plurality of free games: (A)causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality ofinstructions to determine a free game outcome, and (B) causing the atleast one display device to display the determined free game outcome,(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality ofinstructions to accumulate any points associated with the occurrence ofthe triggering event, (iii) causing the at least one processor toexecute the plurality of instructions to determine an award associatedwith the occurrence of the triggering event, said determination beingbased, at least in part, on a quantity of accumulated points and anydetermined awards associated with the determined free game outcomes, and(iv) causing the at least one display device to display the determinedaward associated with the occurrence of the triggering event, whereinthe credit balance is increasable based on the determined awardassociated with the occurrence of the triggering event.
 12. The methodof claim 11, which includes causing the at least one processor toexecute the plurality of instructions to accumulate any pointsassociated with the determined wagering game outcome.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, which includes causing the at least one processor to executethe plurality of instructions to accumulate any points associated withany of the displayed free game outcomes.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein each free game outcome is associated with a combination ofsymbols and at least one of any accumulated points is associated with atleast one of said symbols.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at leastone of the placed wager, any award associated with the determinedwagering game outcome, any award associated with the occurrence of thetriggering event is at least one selected from the group consisting of:a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, aquantity of promotional credits, and a quantity of player trackingpoints.
 16. The method of claim 11, which is provided through a datanetwork.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the data network is aninternet.